Wearing shoes that are too narrow and tight can cause bunions in feet that are already prone to this condition. Experts disagree on whether tight shoes alone can cause bunions, but they definitely make them worse.

Avoid high-heeled shoes with pointy tips that squeeze the toes together. The heels tip your body weight forward, putting greater pressure on the toes which are rammed into the end of the shoe.

Diagnosis of bunions

Your doctor will talk to you and do a physical examination to see how severe your bunions are. They might also say you need to have an X-ray of your foot.

The doctor might also order blood or other laboratory tests if they suspect an underlying disease is the cause. If necessary, they’ll refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon or other specialist.

Treatment for bunions

The first thing to do is to wear comfortable, softer, wider shoes that allow your toes enough space to spread out. Walk barefoot when possible. Often this eases the discomfort and stops the bunion developing further.

Other ways to reduce the pain and pressure of bunions include:

using special cushioning bunion pads

strapping or taping your toe or foot

wearing orthotics (shoe inserts) or orthopaedic shoes

taking anti-inflammatory medicines such as ibuprofen to relieve the pain and inflammation

having a cortisone injection

applying an ice pack or hot beanbag to the bunion.

If these things don’t work and your foot is deformed or very painful, your doctor might refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon. Before agreeing to surgery, ask what is involved and the benefits and risks to you. It can take a long time to recover from bunion surgery.